Improvement in eel-spears



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

sAM'UEL EEEDeEs, 0E soUTHoLD,'NEw YORK,

IMPROVEMENT IN EEL-sPEARs.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. l72,3 l2, dated January 1B. 1876; application tiled December 8, 1875.

To all 'whom-it may concern Be it known that I, SAMUEL P. HEDGEs, of Southold, inthe county of Suffolk and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Eel Spears or Gigs, of which the following is a specication:

The object of this invention is to-provide an eel spear or gig so constructed that when its spears or barbs become broken or `worn out by use, the said parts can be immediately replaced without the expense of either the repairs of a blacksmith or the purchase of a new gig. To this end, therefore, this invention consists of a mnltitubular socket, pro

vided with any ordinary means of attachment to a pole or rod, such as either a screw-bolt to be let into, or jaws for grasping, the pole. Into the said socket A are inserted the necessaryspears and barbs, in such manner that they can readily be attached thereto and detached therefrom.

Heretofore'eel-gigs have either been forged in one piece or the barbs have been so welded together at their base as to. require the assistance of a blacksmith to either repair or replace them. The said barbs being so closely welded at their base, no room was left for grass or other entangling matter to escape from between said barbs, such matter being firmly held therein as if between the teeth of a comb. All the above enumerated defects are obviated in this invention.

1n the drawing, forming part of this speci- .fication, Ais the socket ofthe gig, B its central spear, and C its threaded stem or boltfor secur- .ing it to its handle or pole. At each side of the central spear B are the barbs a b `c a? b2 c2, all of which are either tapped into the socket A, .or being let into holes in said socket, or secured therein by pins or keys k, a suitable key-way or flat face being out in the barbs or spears for the bearing of said keys. 1t will thus'be seen that, while these barbs may be separated at their ends near the socket A, as far apart as desired, and radiate at anydesired angles, theyV can, at any moment, if

broken or worn out, be replaced by sparev barbs kept on hand for the purpose, without the assistance of a blacksmith or the purchase of a new gig.

Having thus fully described this improved eel spear or gig, as of my invention, I claim- 1. An eel spear or gig consisting of :a multitubular socket in which are adjustably secured detachable spears or barbs, all substantially in the manner hereinbefore described, for the purposes set forth.

2. yThe removable barbsa b c ou2 b2 ci, adapted to be readily secured in the socket of the eel spear or gig, by means of a screw-thread or otherwise, substantially as hereinbefore described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL P. HEDGES.

Witnesses: y

THOMAS C. CoNNoLLY, H. S. ABEOT. 

